Eating vegan, running long distances and being 20-something.

Why Are Green Bell Peppers Always Cheaper?

Every time I go grocery shopping I notice that green bell peppers cost a couple dollars less than red/orange/yellow ones. But why?

After some simple Googling, the results 1., reassured me that I wasn’t the only weirdo not just wondering about random things like the price of peppers, but actually writing about it, and 2., unveiled a surprisingly simple explanation.

All bell peppers, regardless of color, are actually the same species of plant. All are green in the beginning, and then turn red, orange, or yellow as they mature.

The green ones are picked before fully ripened, which means they require less time on the vine. In turn, the red/orange/yellow ones are picked once fully ripened, which means they require more time on the vine. Time = money. Thus the reason why green peppers are cheaper. This also explains why the red/orange/yellow peppers are often a little sweeter than the green ones.

According to Huffpost, red peppers are the healthiest since they “contain 11 times more cancer-fighting beta carotene than green peppers.” So try a red one next time you’re out shopping for beta carotene-rich foods. All peppers are good for you, though, so don’t worry if you’re on a budget and can only afford the green ones. As the wise Lil Dicky once said, “We gon’ save dat money.”